Rb26 - How Not To Kill It

[JiN_MaN]

Hi guys, I recently went to Japan and while I was there picked up an R32 GTR. All good so far untill my dad finds out and decides he wants it. Now thats not a problem hes put a roof over my head for 19 years, lest I can do is let him have the GTR, but he wants to use it for track/hill climbs/motor-khana.

Ive never had an Rb26 and I know they can suffer from oil issues. My father on the other hand has never had an import and knows nothing he just wants to get in and drive and have some fun.

It has:

R34 N1 Turbos (30,000km old)

Orleans Coilovers (10,000km old)

Turbo back exhaust

HKS Filters

Bucket seat

What things should I be doing to ensure the engine/gearbox/diff will last? I really dont know much about them and any info you can help me out with your be much appreciated. It going in for some minor mechanical work when it arrives, so happy to book it in for some other things at the same time.

Edited November 12, 2008 by JiN_MaN

[PM-R33]

If its going to see track work do the modifications to the oil galleries to the head (search sydneykid and oil restrictors to find the thread where it shows you how to do it), invest in a decent oil cooler, make sure the tune is running safe, service it with some decent fluids and she should be fine.

Also probably worth a look to check how all the bushes are underneath her and replace them with some adjustable ones or replace the arms to dial in everything as the factory ones will most likely be flogged.

[JiN_MaN]

Cheers guys, That exactly the kind of information I was after.

Edited November 12, 2008 by JiN_MaN

[bloodzkull]

gearbox diffs etc are pretty good. oil problems are the biggest problem of an rb26. search for sydney kids guide thingy and folllow it to the letter.

then order one of these sumps with extended oil pickup

http://hioctaneracing.com.au/eshop/product...products_id=972

[JiN_MaN]

Just read Sydney Kids write up and Wow, didnt realize it was that bigger job to get the oil issues under control.

[PM-R33]

Yeah there is a lot to it. Definetely worth it though.

[Angus Smart]

its a tricky one for sure! and can be costly..

often you find yourself doing a rebuild as soon as that head comes off. simply because "you may aswell"

but it surely out turns for the better when you end up with a good reliable quick car.

[JiN_MaN]

Think I might get in contact with previous owner first and ask if its already been done, Chances are slim but might be worth it in the end.

[Brockas]

If you want to skimp, get the sump extension, a decent oil pump (JUN HKS etc), and a head restrictor.

I'm running that setup, and I haven't had any problems on the track at all with oil pressure (even running RE55's and a decent suspension setup etc).

[N1GTR]

How not to kill it? Dont drive it.

Seriously though, oil return from head, large sump, good oil pump (or external pump is even better) and DO NOT BOUNCE OFF THE REV LIMITER

[R31Nismoid]

gearbox diffs etc are pretty good. oil problems are the biggest problem of an rb26. search for sydney kids guide thingy and folllow it to the letter.

then order one of these sumps with extended oil pickup

http://hioctaneracing.com.au/eshop/product...products_id=972

On a stock motor, i couldn't think of worse ways to waste money.

All you do to keep it alive is this.

Keep power to 300rwkw and that would be on about 17-18psi.

Service it regularly with decent oil

Put an extra 1litre if your really paranoid and hitting the track

Without the oil restrictors in the block, extra return drilling and so on (read: motor out and a rebuild)

Even then, the stock sump is MORE than adequate with the restrictors/return etc for 350rwkw track GTR's.

The hi-octane add IMO is very misleading saying the sump barely isnt enough for the stock motor, its more than enough for a stock car... and on a properly prepped motor even more so the case is proven when there were heaps of 350rwkw GTR's here in melb, on stock sumps (1ltr over filled, N1 oil pumps) without a problem.

Adding a bigger sump does nothing but mask the true problem. The problem is too much oil getting into the head, and not enough getting out.

SO... by adding more oil to the bottom end (without fixing the top end) just means there is MORE oil to get into the head and cause MORE problem.

[JiN_MaN]

SO... by adding more oil to the bottom end (without fixing the top end) just means there is MORE oil to get into the head and cause MORE problem.

Thats a bit that confuses me, If people say to put in an aftermarket oil pump but would that increase the issue in the top of the head?

Also I keep thinking of something to do with a collar. Oil pump collar or something? anybody know what im talking about?

[Angus Smart]

The oil pump collar is to enlarge the crank drive to suit later pumps

the 33 and 34 have a larger crank drive for the oil pumps.

a return oil drain at the back of the head is the new thing to do with the rb26.

[R31Nismoid]

Thats a bit that confuses me, If people say to put in an aftermarket oil pump but would that increase the issue in the top of the head?

Also I keep thinking of something to do with a collar. Oil pump collar or something? anybody know what im talking about?

I wouldnt bother upgrading the pump

You have a R32 motor, it has the older/crap pump drive. A simple search will answer all your questions about collars/oil pump drives

If you limit the power, dont rev the ass off it. It will be fine for long enough.

You have to consider its a 15yr+ old motor with inherrant problems in a number of areas… most of which cannot be fixed without a rebuild/motor being pulled apart,

So either way its not going to last forever if you want to start circuit. So budget for the rebuild… or don’t chase power/circuit duties

[RB30-POWER]

r32 gtr, i give it 6 months of thrashing before it spins a bearing, my predictions.

it's only ever a matter of time with these engines.

[SirRacer]

On a stock motor, i couldn't think of worse ways to waste money.

All you do to keep it alive is this.

Keep power to 300rwkw and that would be on about 17-18psi.

Service it regularly with decent oil

Put an extra 1litre if your really paranoid and hitting the track

Without the oil restrictors in the block, extra return drilling and so on (read: motor out and a rebuild)

Even then, the stock sump is MORE than adequate with the restrictors/return etc for 350rwkw track GTR's.

The hi-octane add IMO is very misleading saying the sump barely isnt enough for the stock motor, its more than enough for a stock car... and on a properly prepped motor even more so the case is proven when there were heaps of 350rwkw GTR's here in melb, on stock sumps (1ltr over filled, N1 oil pumps) without a problem.

Adding a bigger sump does nothing but mask the true problem. The problem is too much oil getting into the head, and not enough getting out.

SO... by adding more oil to the bottom end (without fixing the top end) just means there is MORE oil to get into the head and cause MORE problem.

How many litres are these guys putting in? I fill my engine from a massive big container so havent measured it as yet so dont know.

[R31Nismoid]

Well 1 litre overfill is 1 litre overfill... i dunno how else to explain something like that

[bloodzkull]

yes i know the high octane sump is overkill. however he is saying the car is to be used for hillclimbs etc

and being an r32 anything to help is a bonus in my eyes. however if you read my post i told him to follow sydney kids guide which includes solving the oil return problem.

my r32 gtr is almost finished it's rebuild, a rebuild caused by no oil to no.1 bearing. 330rwkw and the sump was overfilled by 1ltr.

[MrStabby]

Thats a bit that confuses me, If people say to put in an aftermarket oil pump but would that increase the issue in the top of the head?

That's right. If you don't do the other oil control mods an aftermarket pump will make the problem worse. Aftermarket pumps flow more and therefore can empty the sump more quickly.

+1 for overfill of 1 litre, of a good fully synthetic oil at the correct operating temperature (so you'll probably need a cooler). If you're going to aftermarket pump, crank collar, and the oil control mods you might as well just do a full rebuild.

[FineLine]

That's right. If you don't do the other oil control mods an aftermarket pump will make the problem worse. Aftermarket pumps flow more and therefore can empty the sump more quickly.

+1 for overfill of 1 litre, of a good fully synthetic oil at the correct operating temperature (so you'll probably need a cooler). If you're going to aftermarket pump, crank collar, and the oil control mods you might as well just do a full rebuild.

Which you will probably need anyway. Unopened 32 gtr engines are getting a bit long in the tooth. Spun bearings are becoming more common.